Strong defense brings in win

The Lady Vols’ defense set the tone early Monday in their win over the Georgia Lady Bulldogs 73-57.

The Lady Vols (21-2, 8-0) started out slow, shooting just 37 percent in the first half. However, the poor shooting did not hinder the team on defense. Tennessee created 19 turnovers, including 12 in the first half.

“I am very pleased with the defensive intensity,” coach Pat Summitt said. “Alexis Hornbuckle set the tone for how we were going to play on the defensive end.”

Hornbuckle’s defensive play extended to the offensive end of the floor near the end of the half. Hornbuckle scored 12 of Tennessee’s 27 points and had four steals in the first half. She finished with 14 points, seven assists, nine rebounds and four steals.

“We knew they were going to come in here for vengeance after we beat them on their home court,” Hornbuckle said. “We didn’t rely on our offense tonight, and I think that’s what got us off to our good start, which was important.”

After the half, the Lady Vols picked up the intensity. Sophomore Candace Parker went to the inside working on the boards. Parker scored 22 points and had 11 rebounds for her 12th double-double of the season. Georgia (19-5, 6-3) then tried to double-team the All-American until she found Sidney Spencer for two 3-point baskets. The inside-out play of both Parker and Spencer led to a 14-2 run to open the half.

“No one can really defend Parker on the inside unless they do double-team her,” Summitt said. “She’s the kind of player who can make people pay by kicking out of the double-teams. I think that’s the way we have to play if we want to be one of the best teams in the country. We just have to have the inside-outside mentality.”

Georgia was able to keep up with the Lady Vols early. Junior Tasha Humphrey led the Lady Bulldogs with 17 points and 10 rebounds, but Georgia could not match the Lady Vols’ intensity in the second half.

“In the second half, Tennessee got momentum by taking the ball inside,” Georgia coach Andy Landers said. “We were poor in our efforts to keep it out of there. Tennessee puts you in a position to make choices, and if you choose incorrectly, they make you pay for that because it normally results in a turnover.”

For UT, the win is the sixth in a row against the Georgia Lady Bulldogs and gives the Lady Vols a two game lead in the SEC. The Lady Vols’ next task will be to take on Auburn down on the plains Thursday at 7 p.m.